There’s been some bittersweet news in the Westfield Matildas camp for two Newcastle Jets players.
Central defender, Larissa Crummer has been ruled out of the Australia squad to face Chile in Penrith and Newcastle due to injury.
The 22-year-old made her Club debut in the 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory last Thursday night, and performed well.
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In good news for the Jets though, her replacement in the Westfield Matildas squad is Jets W-League co-captain and seven-time Australia representative, Gema Simon.
Simon joined her Jets teammate Emily van Egmond in Sydney on Monday, as Alen Stajcic prepares his squad for two key friendlies in the lead-up to next June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
It’s been almost a year exactly since Gema was in the Matildas squad – she was selected, but didn’t see game-time, in last year’s pair of friendlies against Brazil.
Back in the mix for this year’s trips to Penrith and back home to Newcastle, the 28-year-old will put her best foot forward with one eye on the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Newcastle Jets W-League Head Coach, Craig Deans was pleased for Simon and optimistic about Crummer’s injury.
“It’s great news for Gema, who hasn’t been in the squad for about a year,” Deans said.
“She’s had troubles with injury over the past 12 months, but all that’s behind her now.
“Gema was superb in our first game of the season, she’s worked hard and deserves the call-up to the squad.
“Larissa’s injury isn’t serious, it’s a quad strain which she picked up with the Matildas back in early October and twinged again at the weekend.
“She’ll be better for the weekend off, and hopefully back for our first home game against Canberra on 17 November.”
